Judge, 1920-05-01 · page 5 of 36
Judge — May 1, 1920 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Wayward Father" - Analysis This page presents a one-act theatrical piece by James Montgomery Flagg, illustrated with his characteristic expressive ink drawing. The illustration shows an anxious man on a telephone, mouth agape in shock or distress. The plot involves a young man discovered at a library table with papers, summoned home by his mother. A character named George appears to be the "wayward father" referenced in the title. The dialogue suggests domestic turmoil: a missing father who abandoned the family, a mother conducting detective work to locate him, and complications involving someone named "Morgan" and a town called "Muncie, Indiana." The satire targets paternal irresponsibility and family dysfunction—likely resonating with early 20th-century audiences concerned with domestic morality and masculine duty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
If YY SS Ws JANES MONTGOMERY Face “My Gop! ‘The Morcue!” The Wayward Father A Tragedy in One Thrilling Act By James Montcomery F.acc Emotion Pictures ly the Author ineleen Twenty-four. sl Library. Door in center. Another door ajar, at left. At rise of curtain a young man is seated at library table Jiguring on a large pile of papers and reports. The young man is weary. A alls murmuringly from the open door. Young man (GEOR DD, JR.) rises and goes to door and stands listening. Groxce--That you, Mother? 0, that wasn’t Father--it was the milkman s cream. Grorc leaving yester Grorce—I know, dear! Now do try to go-o sleep. (He takes a step away from door down stage and grits his teeth) God! this is killing her! (He steps back to doorway again as a murmur is heard) Yes, mother, I am doing everything in my power to find him, What? It is nearly three months since the night he—didn’t come home, but I will find him somehow. I’m sure ing and joking about the »hole No news is good news. r—I have my work to finish. He could he is all right. We'll alll be la thing one of these days—you'll se Now try to go to sleep. Mammy di Th income tax thing! Father was wonderful! make his deductions balance his income. Good night, dear! (He returns to table and starts figuring again. The tele- phone rings) What! My God—the morgue! (He covers his mouth with his hand and trembles) Oh, Morgan! You frightened me! (He looks fearfully toward mother’s room) What? Any news? You traced him to Muncie, Indiana? ... Yes. . « and it was George Abdomen, not George Podd, my father? Yes, as you say, it was nearly my father. I'm afraid that if you brought him here, mother might detect the difference, slight as it is—mother is so observant! . . . damn! (He slings telephone down. A murmur from room) That was Morgan, my detecti Hasn’t found him yet—almost got him in Mun- cie, Indi: .. What? That’s a town—yes. It won’t be long now. (1 light tapping on center door. Looks, then tip- comicbooks.com